In support of cross‑sector collaboration to advance sustainable development, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, through its Charities Trust, has approved a donation of over HK$426 million to support The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in establishing and operating the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute. The donation also supports the creation of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships, with the aim of bringing together distinguished international scholars from diverse fields to provide global insights into local needs and to transform research findings into practical policy recommendations and solutions for a more liveable and resilient Hong Kong - so contributing to the betterment of society.
Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (left) and Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (right) officiate at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
The dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships was held on 5 May. Attending guests included Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward, Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong; Prof Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) of The University of Hong Kong; Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of Business School of The University of Hong Kong and three endowed professors: Professor Guojun He, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics; Professor Jeffrey Ng, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting, and Professor Uta Schönberg, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics.
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Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (left) and Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (right) officiate at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (3rd left); Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (centre); Prof Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) of The University of Hong Kong (1st left); Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of Business School of The University of Hong Kong; and the three endowed professors (2nd left): Professor Guojun He, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (3rd right); Professor Jeffrey Ng, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting (1st right), and Professor Uta Schönberg, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (2nd right) attend the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
Club Steward Rimsky Yuen delivers a speech at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
Rimsky Yuen, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward (3rd left); Prof Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (centre); Prof Yang Wang, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Advancement) of The University of Hong Kong (1st left); Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of Business School of The University of Hong Kong; and the three endowed professors (2nd left): Professor Guojun He, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (3rd right); Professor Jeffrey Ng, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Accounting (1st right), and Professor Uta Schönberg, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Economics (2nd right) attend the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
Congratulating the four eminent scholars on their appointments, including Professor Roni Michaely, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor in Finance and Entrepreneurship, who was unable to attend the ceremony, Club Steward Rimsky Yuen said that, with the support of the four endowed professorships, the institute is well-placed to become a world-class knowledge hub, providing actionable insights that can deliver meaningful impact in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond. He added that the Club has supported many groundbreaking initiatives at HKU over the years. This reflects the Club’s long-standing investment in human capital and higher education, and its commitment to nurturing leaders who can propel the city’s economic development and sustain the prosperity of the nation.
Club Steward Rimsky Yuen delivers a speech at the dedication ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Endowed Professorships.
The HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute aims to become a world-class hub for Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Sustainability best practice in Hong Kong, Asia and beyond with respect to three core aspects:
1）Research — Create four endowed professorships in the disciplines of economics, finance, entrepreneurship, and accounting. Under the leadership of the appointed scholars, the Institute will foster multidisciplinary collaboration and integrate knowledge with practice and transform top-tier research into actionable solutions.
2）Engagement — Develop a sustainability index, offer consultancy and advisory services, and organise conferences, seminars and international summits to facilitate dialogues and forge cross‑sector partnerships.
3）Education — Curate sustainability related courses and interdisciplinary initiatives to equip forward-looking sustainability professionals.
The Club’s support for the HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.
Group photo.
Penfold Park - built and managed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) – has recently been upgraded to enhance the visitor experience. The opening ceremony of Pony World, one of its new community facilities, was held today (5 June) as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign. The facility offers an interactive equestrian experience that combines education and entertainment.
Guests tour the newly constructed facilitates at the Penfold Park including its park office.
Officiating guests at the ceremony included Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin).
Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2nd left,); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); join Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin) (1st right) to officiate at the opening ceremony of Pony World.
Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, noted that the Jockey Club has launched a series of Year of the Horse activities aligned with the policy areas of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Among them, the opening of Pony World seeks to cultivate children’s interest in equestrian sports and raise awareness of animal care through a range of interactive experiences, appealing to both local residents and tourists while promoting the development of equestrian sports. She expressed her sincere thanks to the Club for delivering this educational and recreational facility for the public’s enjoyment.
Guests tour Pony World.
Guests tour Pony World.
Guests tour Pony World.
Officiating at the event, Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the Club worked closely with the Government on Sha Tin’s large-scale land reclamation and new town development, dating back to the 1970s, including the establishment of Sha Tin Racecourse and Penfold Park. The latter served as one of the venues for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, marking a milestone in the development of equestrian sport in the city. He added that the completion of Pony World provides the public with an opportunity to learn about horses by combining education with entertainment. It adds a fresh dimension to Penfold Park and its legacy of community service and Olympic heritage, reflecting not only the Club’s mission to enhance facilities, but also its commitment to popularising equine sports.
Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the completion of Pony World adds a fresh dimension to Penfold Park and its legacy of community service and Olympic heritage.
Close encounters with ponies
Occupying more than 7,700 square metres, Pony World will officially open to the public on 22 June, offering a wide range of equestrian experiences for families and school groups. Visitors can tour the stables, take photos with mini ponies, join interactive workshops and immerse themselves in hands-on learning at the activity zone. Children aged 3 to 14 can also enjoy pony rides. These close encounters aim to deepen the public’s understanding of horses and foster an interest in equestrian activities. Pony World is expected to serve around 17,000 visitors a year. (Please refer to the attachment for activity details).
Guests tour Pony World.
Children aged 3 to 14 can enjoy pony rides.
Children aged 3 to 14 can enjoy pony rides.
Visitors can learn about pony behaviour, care and their unique personalities from professional equestrian coaches in the interactive pony classroom.
The Penfold Park renovation and enhancement work has been underway since 2023. The first two phases have been completed, including upgrades to the park’s landscape and the introduction of various new supporting facilities, such as the Pet Zone, pathway lighting, covered seating areas, a newly constructed park office, toilets and Pony World. Phase Three will commence in due course, further upgrading park facilities and improving connectivity between the park and the Sha Tin Racecourse grandstands, to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
Visitors can learn about pony behaviour, care and their unique personalities from professional equestrian coaches in the interactive pony classroom.
Visitors can visit the stables for a behind-the-scenes look at where the ponies live and learn the basics of horse care.
Visitors can visit the stables for a behind-the-scenes look at where the ponies live and learn the basics of horse care.
As a world-class sports and entertainment organisation, the Club is committed to equine sports development in Hong Kong. Initiatives range across the retraining of retired racehorses to the operation of public riding schools and provision of high-level coaching and professional support to equestrian riders through the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, as well as technical and logistical support for major equestrian events. All this is made possible by the Club’s unique integrated business model of world-class racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution.
Visitors create magical moments with Shetland ponies.
Visitors create magical moments with Shetland ponies.
The activity zone offers a series of engaging activities designed to enhance the public’s understanding of ponies.
The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.
Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (4th left, front row); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (middle, front row); Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right, front row); Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left, front row); and Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin) (2nd right, front row), join the Club’s Board of Management and other guests for a group photo.
